Abbas Showcases Nigeria’s Digital Legislative Advances at Geneva Global Conference

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has spotlighted Nigeria’s growing digital parliamentary capabilities at the World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments in Geneva, Switzerland. Addressing delegates from around the world, Abbas highlighted the strides made by the 10th National Assembly in deploying digital tools to improve legislative transparency, citizen engagement, and governance. He stated that the National Assembly has embraced technology to ensure that Nigerians can follow legislative activities in real time, access open data portals, and provide feedback through interactive platforms. According to him, these innovations are designed to enhance accountability and connect lawmakers more directly with the people they represent. During his address, Abbas also used the opportunity to advocate for the inclusion of Africa as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. He argued that Africa’s population, which exceeds 1.4 billion, and its growing global significance necessitate a permanent voice in international decision-making bodies. He called on global leaders to reform the structure of the United Nations to reflect fairness and equity in global governance. In his engagements on the sidelines of the conference, Abbas met with the Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Martin Chungong, where he reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to addressing critical issues such as climate change, youth inclusion, and digital regulation. He revealed plans to establish a Standing Committee on Youths in Parliament and welcomed a $25,000 grant from the IPU to support the House Committee on Climate Change. The Speaker also pointed to legislative efforts under the 10th Assembly aimed at promoting social inclusion and national development. These include the recently enacted Student Loan Act, which offers financial access to tertiary education, and the ongoing consideration of the Reserved Seats Bill to increase women’s representation in the National Assembly. Abbas further noted Nigeria’s progress in establishing a legal framework for digital governance, including the passage of the Nigeria Data Protection Act in 2023 and the development of legislation to regulate artificial intelligence. He said these measures are necessary to prepare Nigeria for the opportunities and risks associated with technological advancement. The Geneva conference gathered speakers of parliaments from across the world to deliberate on democracy, climate change, innovation, and inclusion. Abbas’s presentation reaffirmed Nigeria’s evolving role on the global stage and its determination to build a more transparent, inclusive, and digitally driven legislative institution.